President Nataša Pirc Musar met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a three-day visit to the country aimed at demonstrating Slovenia's political support and assistance to Kyiv.

Meeting in Kyiv on 28 June, the two presidents discussed a bilateral security agreement such as Ukraine has signed with 18 other countries, as well as preparations for a second peace conference for Ukraine.

Security agreement yet to be finalised

It had been initially expected for the agreement to be signed by Pirc Musar during her visit to Ukraine, but the wording is yet to be finalised as Kyiv has been seeking more specific aid pledges.

Zelensky said Ukraine was looking to establish a comprehensive framework for such agreements with all European countries. "This will not only strengthen Ukraine, but also the security of the entire continent," he wrote on X.

Holding talks with Zelensky on the margins of the EU summit the day before, Prime Minister Robert Golob said the two countries planned to finalise the agreement soon with the signing likely to take place in July.

He said the talks were revolving around Ukraine's wish for Slovenia to make "more concrete assurances, in particular financial assurances, regarding assistance in the reconstruction of Ukraine".

Slovenia now expects Ukraine to officially propose amendments to the draft agreement, he said.

Zelensky briefed Pirc Musar on the preparations for the second peace conference for Ukraine, saying that "together with all those who truly want peace, we must come up with action plans to address all the security aspects violated by Russia."

The Ukrainian president thanked Slovenia for its unwavering support for Ukraine and for the recent aid package.

Path to peace

Zelensky and Pirc Musar also discussed the path to peace, with Zelensky announcing that Ukraine is preparing a comprehensive plan to end the war.

"It's very important that we present a plan to end the war that will be supported by the majority of the world. This is the diplomatic path we are working on," Zelensky was quoted by the French news agency AFP as saying at a press conference with Pirc Musar.

The Slovenian president meanwhile reaffirmed Slovenia's support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

"We strongly condemn Russia's aggression against Ukraine and expect Russia to immediately start respecting the international values and norms to which it has committed itself," she said on X.

She hailed the courage and determination of the Ukrainian people in defending its homeland and democratic values.

"We support the efforts to achieve just and lasting peace," she added as quoted by her office. Slovenia, as a member of the UN Security Council, is committed to the same goals as Ukraine, she added.

Pirc Musar pledged for Slovenia to strengthen bilateral relations with Ukraine and support its path to join the EU.

Memorandum to protect Ukrainian children

Slovenia is also committed to continue to provide humanitarian, financial and military aid and support in the reconstruction of Ukraine, including demining, rehabitlitation of war victims, and psychosocial support for children.

Slovenian Ambassador Mateja Prevolšek signed with Ukrainian Minister of Social Policy Oksana Zholnovych a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the support for Ukrainian citizens temporarily displaced in Slovenia.

The document aims to protect the rights and legitimate interests of Ukrainian children, including by providing the best forms of education of children without parental care, preventing the adoption of Ukrainian children and ensuring the preservation of their national identity.

Pirc Musar also met in Kyiv Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and Parliament President Ruslan Stefanchuk, and honoured the Ukrainian victims of the Russian aggression both in the capital and in Bucha.

She thanked Ukraine for helping Slovenia during the devastating August 2023 floods. "Solidarity works both ways and we are exceptionally grateful that despite the war, Ukraine sent its units to help us," she added.